FlagSageCitizenship by descent
Glossary term
Citizenship by descent is citizenship that passes from a parent who is a citizen, rather than coming from birth in the country or from naturalization.
Each country decides whether and how citizenship passes to children born abroad. USCIS describes US citizenship being acquired through US citizen parents, either at birth or after birth but before age 18. Conditions apply in each case.
Countries can limit how far descent reaches. UK Home Office guidance says every British citizen is either a citizen by descent or a citizen otherwise than by descent. It says a British citizen by descent cannot normally pass citizenship automatically to children born outside the UK.
Citizenship by descent can carry the same duties as any other citizenship. A US citizen by descent who lives abroad, for example, is under the same US filing rules as other US citizens abroad.
Not to be confused with
- Naturalization. Naturalization is granted on application after conditions such as residence are met, not passed down from a parent.
- Dual citizenship. A person with citizenship by descent often also holds the citizenship of the country of birth, which is a separate question.
Sources
- Citizenship and NaturalizationOfficial guidance
- Automatic acquisition (accessible)Official guidance
- U.S. citizens and residents abroad - Filing requirementsOfficial guidance
Related
- Countries covered
- General
- Sources
- 3 sources
- Tax year
- Current rules as checked
- Review
- Not professionally reviewed
Sources checked November 8, 2026